Here’s the situation: Homeowner is having a new asphalt driveway installed and wants to continue the asphalt into a courtyard. The courtyard area will be fenced off with decorative cedar fencing. The plan calls for a 12′ drive through gate (2 – 6′ hinged sections hanging on 6×6 posts) The conflict comes from the asphalt sub vs the fencing sub. Fence contractor wants to sink the gate posts in before the paving; paving contractor doesn’t want to pave around posts. Both claim they are doing it the “right” way.
Which is the “best practice?” My experience says that the gate posts should be cemented in first. I can’t see how they can be set sturdy enough to hang 6′ gates on after the paving.
Replies
posts first...
if the posts had already been there we would be having this discussion
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
posts. no issue at all.
Asphalt first.
Cut a neat hole in the asphalt, set the posts in tamped gravel up to the bottom of the asphalt, cap with a tapered concrete cap, paint the concrete with asphalt sealer to match the asphalt.
More work for the fence guy but looks better and, IMO, lasts longer by draining water away from the post.
Very hard to compact asphalt evenly around an obstacle at the edge of the work, usually steels, draining water towards the obstacle.
Have each contractor price it both ways, if there is a major savings, go that way.
SamT
Welcome to BT, first off.
Flip a coin.
Heads: Fencer lays out square boxes exactly where the fence posts will pass through the asphalt; asphalt man will finish right up to the boxes, taking great care not to move, nudge or otherwise disloge them.
Tails: Fencer sets posts first, but, uses a form agreeable to the asphalt sub and brings the form flush to the finished depth of the asphalt, to the satisfaction of the asphalt sub.
Just like two kids and the last of the cake--one cuts, the other picks.